what grease to use inside a reel?

[tidalboy]

i have a reel...okuma avenger series spinning real that took a swim while surf perch fishing in the ocean. i took it all apart, cleaned it real good, and used automotive axle grease on the insides.(i didnt know what else to use) but this reel just isnt as smooth as it used to be.before i scrap it, can anyone point out what i did wrong? (besides dropping it in the ocean!) thanks!

[phamf]

Sounds like the grease is too thick.
Some parts on a reel only require oil.

[Kerry Hansen]

Like said above, I think the Axle grease is too viscous. It most likely will get worse when using the reel in colder weather. There are reel lubes available as well as high quality Fire Arms lubricants. Also when putting on the lubricant, more is not better.

Also you might consider in the future when fishing Salt Waters that you get one of salt nutralizer products like Salt-X. This isn't a petroleum based product so it can also be sprayed on/in your reels and and it will not disolve/displace your lubricants, it also won't hurt your line. It neutralizes the Salt, so it is also good for spraying on your guides until you get a chance to wash your rod down with soap and water.
Kerry

[StickFish]

Depends on the bearing. If instance none spool bearings on bait casters I use yamaha engine lube (grease), spool bearings, Reel-X (oil).

Best advice is to PM Alantani - he is the go to guy on reels

[tidalboy]

hey, thanks for the advise guys, "salt-x" never heard of that...but i plan on getting some!

[Rawbd]

For the internals either oil or grease ( less is more ) fact.

[fishin"G"man]

Almost never do you hear of "reel grease", it's always an oil. Can't recall which reel I had that said "USE NO GREASE". I have used the Penn oil for years and had good result.

Gun oil is OK but the reel oils are more waterproof I think. Synthetics are good, super lube is too but be aware of silicone base stuff. Once it gets cold and hard you are stuck with a sticky reel mechanism. You'll be sorry you used the wrong stuff.

[crobarr]

super lube washed out FAST when exposed to direct saltwater spray when casting spinners.

currently my favorites are reel-x and shimano drag grease. main gear/pinion and worm gear (when un-synced) get grease, everything else gets oil.

have 1 reel that only gets hot sauce oil/grease since it came with it inside.

[Rick on Rogue]

On all surfaces that 'rub' like bushings and ball bearings I use "Hot Sauce". On gear mesh surfaces I use Abu/Garcia Reel grease in very small amounts. On Drag washers, I just started using Cal's. So far so good.